Cheapest supermarket UK. In the face of a persistent cost-of-living crisis and inflation pressures that refuse to recede fully, one of the most pressing questions for millions of UK households is: which supermarket really offers the best value? From weekly essentials to full family hauls, identifying the cheapest supermarket UK has become a high-priority task for savvy shoppers determined to stretch every pound. But with numerous chains touting discounts, loyalty schemes, and budget ranges, figuring out which store consistently delivers actual value can be challenging. In this detailed guide, we break down recent research, real pricing data, loyalty benefits, and shopping strategies to help you confidently choose the most cost-effective Cheapest supermarket UK.
Aldi: The Current Leader in Affordability
For over two years now, Aldi has been the consistent winner in national pricing comparisons. Its reputation as the cheapest supermarket UK is not just marketing hype—it is backed by data from Which?, the UK’s leading consumer watchdog. Their monthly Cheapest supermarket UK Price analysis shows that Aldi regularly tops the list when it comes to the lowest prices for common everyday items.
Aldi’s advantage lies in its no-frills model: fewer branded items, a streamlined store layout, and a heavy reliance on its own-brand products allow the company to offer prices that are often significantly lower than those of its competitors. In February 2025, for example, Aldi’s average cost for a 100-item shopping basket was £182.64, beating every other major Cheapest supermarket UK—even those offering loyalty discounts.
Unlike other supermarkets that rely heavily on complex pricing strategies and membership cards to offer lower prices, Aldi keeps it simple. Prices are the same for everyone, ensuring fairness and transparency. Moreover, Aldi’s products frequently score well in blind taste tests, proving that lower prices do not necessarily mean lower quality.
The company’s continued investment in employee wages (rising to £13.02 per hour nationally and over £14 in London) and its expansion strategy—aiming for over 1,500 stores—are a testament to its growing dominance in the UK grocery landscape. With consistent recognition as the cheapest supermarket UK, Aldi remains the go-to for everyday savings.
Lidl: A Strong Competitor Nipping at Aldi’s Heels
While Aldi maintains the top spot, Lidl is never far behind. In fact, Lidl has occasionally overtaken Aldi in certain months thanks to aggressive pricing and the use of the Lidl Plus loyalty app. This app provides discounts on selected items, monthly coupons, and cashback offers, giving Lidl shoppers an additional advantage that can sometimes close the gap with Aldi—or even beat it.
In July 2025, for example, Lidl was declared the Cheapest supermarket UK by Which? for the first Time in nearly two years. A 76-item basket cost £128.00 at Lidl, just edging out Aldi’s £129.25. This minor but significant shift shows that while Aldi may hold the overall crown, Lidl is capable of winning the battle in specific months, especially for shoppers who fully utilise the Lidl Plus app.
However, Lidl’s model is similar to Aldi’s: a limited product range, reliance on own-label goods, and a streamlined store experience. Where Lidl sometimes excels is in its in-store bakery, which has become a favourite among UK shoppers, adding a level of freshness and product variety not often seen in budget Cheapest supermarket UK.
Still, without Lidl Plus, the savings margin narrows. Without the app, Lidl’s average basket Price tends to be just slightly higher than Aldi’s. Yet, for those who are tech-savvy and happy to use a digital loyalty app, Lidl offers a compelling challenge to Aldi’s dominance.
Traditional Supermarkets: Still Worth Considering?
While Aldi and Lidl dominate small-to-medium basket Price comparisons, the UK’s traditional “Big Four” supermarkets—Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons—continue to serve a large percentage of shoppers, particularly those purchasing larger branded product ranges. While they are often more expensive overall, these retailers still offer competitive pricing in specific scenarios and with loyalty schemes.
Asda: The Branded Basket Champion
Among the Big Four, Asda often emerges as the cheapest option for large branded baskets. In Which?’s analysis of 150+ item trolleys (which usually exclude Aldi and Lidl due to limited brand selection), Asda consistently outperformed its competitors.
In April 2025, a 200-item branded basket at Asda came in at £505.79, compared to £510.25 at Tesco and £517.64 at Sainsbury’s. These margins, while small, can add up for larger families or shoppers who prefer branded goods.
Asda’s recent aggressive Rollback campaign—slashing prices on over 4,000 items—has further solidified its position as the budget-friendly choice among traditional grocers. In January 2025, Asda announced a £150 million investment in Price cuts to help families manage rising food costs, a move that directly triggered a pricing response from rivals Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s & Morrisons: Depend on Loyalty
If you’re shopping at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Morrisons, using a loyalty card is essential to accessing lower prices. Tesco’s Clubcard Prices, Sainsbury’s Nectar Prices, and Morrisons’ More Card all unlock discounts on hundreds of products, though without these cards, basket prices can be considerably higher.
That said, even with these discounts, these cheapest supermarket UK often still trail behind Aldi and Lidl for everyday items. In February 2025, here’s how 100-item baskets compared:
| Supermarket | Cost (with loyalty) |
| Aldi | £182.64 |
| Lidl Plus | £184.51 |
| Asda | £201.85 |
| Tesco Clubcard | £205.31 |
| Morrisons More | £212.98 |
| Sainsbury’s Nectar | £213.46 |
| Waitrose | £245.79 |
These figures highlight just how vast the Price disparity can be—even among the Cheapest supermarket UK that offer loyalty benefits. Still, many shoppers continue to frequent these stores for convenience, loyalty rewards, or access to specific product lines.
Waitrose and M&S: Premium Grocers with Premium Prices
At the other end of the spectrum are Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, two chains that have never claimed to be the cheapest but focus instead on quality, service, and premium branding. For some shoppers, these factors justify higher prices—but for those focused on budgeting, these supermarkets typically fall well outside the value category.
Waitrose, for example, was the most expensive supermarket in almost every Which? Monthly market comparison throughout 2024 and 2025. A 100-item basket at Waitrose costs £245, a stark contrast to Aldi’s £182.64. M&S didn’t fare much better, despite attempts to revamp its food halls and introduce more price-matched products.
Real-World Example: The School Lunch Test
To bring these Price differences into real-life perspective, a recent experiment compared the cost of assembling a week’s worth of packed school lunches at different UK supermarkets:
- Aldi: £1.17 per lunch
- Lidl: £1.26
- Asda: £1.28
- Sainsbury’s: £1.66
- Tesco: £1.76
- Waitrose: £2.57
- M&S: £3.42
Over the course of a 39-week school year, the Price difference between Aldi and M&S equates to £877 per child. This kind of savings adds up significantly for households with multiple children, making it clear how impactful the Cheapest supermarket UK choice can be on a family’s annual budget.
Key Factors That Make a Supermarket Truly “Cheap”
When determining the cheapest supermarket UK, it’s essential to look beyond just shelf prices. Here are several factors that contribute to long-term savings:
1. Loyalty Schemes
Although Aldi and Lidl don’t rely on them as heavily, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons offer loyalty schemes that can provide value—if used strategically. Cashback, coupons, and member-only deals can reduce your final bill, especially on branded items.
2. Own-Brand Products
Most of the cheapest supermarket UK have a value-tier own-brand range that dramatically undercuts the cost of big-name products. Aldi’s “Everyday Essentials,” Tesco’s “Everyday Value,” and Asda’s “Just Essentials” can often be half the Price of equivalent branded goods.
3. Bulk Buying and Offers
Multibuy deals, reduced-to-clear sections, and “buy one get one free” offers can offer excellent savings—if they align with your actual usage. Buying perishables in bulk only makes sense if you can consume or store them efficiently.
4. Digital Tools
Price comparison apps, budgeting tools, and grocery list planners can help shoppers keep track of what they’re spending—and where the best deals are.
Conclusion: Aldi Still Wears the Crown for Value
After reviewing extensive data, consumer reports, and real-life shopping scenarios, one conclusion stands firm: Aldi remains the cheapest supermarket UK for the vast majority of everyday shoppers. Lidl is a very close second, and sometimes edges out Aldi for specific items—especially when using Lidl Plus. Among the traditional supermarkets, Asda provides the best value, particularly for large branded baskets.
But regardless of where you shop, being strategic—using loyalty programs, buying smartly, and understanding pricing cycles—can go a long way in managing your grocery budget. The cost-of-living crisis may be ongoing, but with informed choices, households across the UK can still put quality meals on the table without breaking the bank.